How much does a cook make in Harrisburg?
$36,520a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area. That is $17.56 an hour or $3,043 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.56
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 162 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 2,510
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $26,530Median: $36,520Highest 10%: $47,620
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,530 | $12.75 | |
| 25th | $30,220 | $14.53 | |
| Median | $36,520 | $17.56 | |
| 75th | $42,450 | $20.41 | |
| 90th | $47,620 | $22.89 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Philadelphia, PA | $38,270 |
| Allentown, PA | $37,120 |
| Lancaster, PA | $36,500 |
| York, PA | $36,310 |
| Lebanon, PA | $36,250 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $36,130 |
| Reading, PA | $36,020 |
| State College, PA | $35,990 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $35,350 |
| Scranton, PA | $34,870 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $34,620 |
| Altoona, PA | $34,210 |
| Erie, PA | $33,550 |
| Williamsport, PA | $32,340 |
| Johnstown, PA | $30,040 |
Related jobs in Harrisburg
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $59,690 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,950 |
| Cook | $36,880 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $34,260 |
| Food Server | $33,380 |
| Cook | $32,910 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,370 |
| Dishwasher | $29,700 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,340 |
| Cook | $28,970 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Harrisburg?
The median hourly pay in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area is $17.56 ($36,520 a year).
Do cooks make more in Harrisburg than the national average?
No: $36,520 against $37,390 nationally, 2% less.
How does Harrisburg compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $36,580, so Harrisburg pays 0% more.
Where does Harrisburg rank for cook pay?
162 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Harrisburg?
The lowest-paid 10% make $26,530 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,620 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.